The Case Against Funding Planned Parenthood
It is crucial that no taxpayer dollars from Americans are allocated to Planned Parenthood. This principle lies at the heart of the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case, Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. The abortion industry, riddled with flaws and corruption, does not represent genuine women’s health care.
First-Hand Experience in the Abortion Industry
Having once worked in an abortion facility in Illinois, I saw the quick turnover of patients firsthand. Each day, doctors would conduct between 40 to 60 abortions, six days a week. The operations were rushed; we had only five to eight minutes to prepare a woman for her procedure, often rushing her from one room to the next, which prioritized speed over care.
The Disturbing Reality of Abortions
The pace was overwhelming; if a patient wasn’t ready before the doctor arrived, an employee risked being reprimanded. This rigorous speed meant that doctors could complete as many as ten additional procedures each day.
Alarming Safety Concerns
A former Planned Parenthood nurse shared her troubling experiences in a New York Times article, noting the frenetic atmosphere: “Employees sometimes administered expired pain medication or the wrong medications while trying to rush patients through.” She commented that it was not unusual for patients to end up in the wrong room, being prepped for the wrong procedure.
The Focus on Profit Over Care
While such stories are disturbing, they do not surprise me. The abortion industry, claiming to advocate for women’s health, primarily focuses on one thing: profit. Abortion is big business, serving as the main driving force behind this industry.
Funding and Financial Mismanagement
From 2018 to 2023, Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the nation, received a staggering $3.2 billion in direct public funding. In addition, it secures hundreds of millions more from private donations every year. In the last year alone, it has raised over $2.5 billion in net assets.
Misleading Women on Care
Many supporters are misled into believing that Planned Parenthood offers comprehensive care while, in reality, much of their funding goes towards political activism rather than supporting women’s health. As reported by the New York Times, nearly $900 million distributed over the past five years from its national office to local affiliates did not directly support medical services but instead funded political campaigns and legal expenses.
Decline in Women’s Health Services
Alarmingly, from 2022 to 2023, the number of preventative care visits for women dropped by 31%, with an annual patient count plummeting 60% since the 1990s. Additionally, cancer screenings and prevention services have seen a 71% decrease since 2010, including a 72% drop in breast exams and a 74% reduction in pap tests.
The Case for Redirecting Funds
Americans should not be compelled to fund organizations with such misleading records when a majority oppose taxpayer support for abortion. South Carolina rightly determined that Planned Parenthood does not meet the qualifications to receive Medicaid funding. The state’s decision led to Planned Parenthood suing South Carolina, and this pivotal case is now under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Supporting Genuine Health Care
States should have the autonomy to allocate their funds to healthcare providers that genuinely offer comprehensive services, excluding organizations like Planned Parenthood, whose main focus is abortion. In South Carolina, there are approximately 200 publicly funded clinics providing a range of health services, alongside numerous pregnancy centers delivering vital, free support to women.
A Perspective from the Field
As the president and CEO of Mosaic Health in Illinois, I have dedicated nearly four decades to serving over 25,000 clients through our two pregnancy centers. We offer free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, post-abortion counseling, adoption referrals, parenting classes, and a wealth of resources for new parents, from diapers to clothing.
The Challenge We Face
Despite our positive contributions, the Illinois state government seeks to impose restrictions that could force our doors to close, motivated by a law that discriminates against pregnancy centers due to our belief that abortion harms women and children. We are now challenging this law with the help of Alliance Defending Freedom, hoping that the court will acknowledge our right to operate based on our convictions.
Looking Toward the Supreme Court
As the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates on the Medina case, I hope they will align with the arguments made by the ADF attorneys representing South Carolina, affirming that states can allocate their funds towards true, life-affirming health care for women and children.
